presents
Miss Mermaid
The world's first mermaid pageant, Miss Mermaid brings mermaiding, modeling and activism together on a worldwide scale to help Save The Oceans. Our two winners, Miss Mermaid USA & Miss Mermaid America, will represent our country at Miss Mermaid International 2023 to compete for the world title!
PRESENTING
Miss Mermaid USA 2023
WINNER - FELICIA FLAHERTY - MISS MERMAID MARYLAND - @FELICIAWITHFINS
Photo by Justin Lutsky
Together With
Miss Mermaid America 2023
MISS MERMAID USA 1ST RUNNER UP - NICOLE WOOD - MISS MERMAID FLORIDA - @MERMAID_NIKKI
Photo by Dan Compton
Team USA Will Compete At
Miss Mermaid International 2024
Photo by Rioux Media
Becoming Miss Mermaid USA
Mermaids nationwide apply online for State Titles for the 50 states plus Washington D.C. & Puerto Rico.
25 Semifinalists come together to compete at the National Pageant for the honor of becoming a Top 10 Finalists.
The Winner & Runner Up win a trip to compete at Miss Mermaid International!
Our last National Pageant was hosted at MerMagic Con 2021.
The next Miss Mermaid International has been postponed to 2024, after which we will host the next round of national pageants.
Join Us!
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How to be a Mermaid Queen
Finalists come together in sisterhood while competing in mermaid skills at the National Pageant!
Underwater Arts
This unique and challenging skill embodies the true magic of a mermaid in her natural element. Each mermaid delivers her best dive in a one-breath underwater show. Judges score her live performance as well as photos captured by an underwater photographer. The most graceful contestant wins the "Most Photogenic Underwater" award.
Miss Mermaid Arkansas 2023 - Mermaid Sparkles
Photo by Adrienne Wilson
Creativity
Mermaids love getting crafty! Each contestant styles an on-land photoshoot with a theme to tell her story. She wears only art that she has handmade herself, including her mermaid top, accessories, hair and makeup. Bonus points are given for using eco-friendly materials! The mermaid with the most unique ensemble receives a sash for "Miss Creativity." The mermaid with the most votes in the online voting round wins the "People's Choice Award."
Miss Mermaid USA 2023 2nd Runner Up
Michelle Mozden - Miss Mermaid Arizona
Photo by Zuzanna Czerny @mermaidzari
Long Distance Swim
In this challenging and athletic competition, mermaids swim their maximum distance in one breath in a mermaid tail. This horizontal "dive" allows each mermaid to safely push her physical abilities while avoiding the risks of vertical freediving. Full points are awarded when a mermaid swims 50 m (164 ft) and the mermaid that swims the farthest wins the "Best in Water" sash.
Video at Miss Mermaid International 2016 by Hubert Peus - Agentur PowerLine
Pageant Glamour
Miss Mermaid USA also includes traditional on-stage pageant categories such as Interview, Talent and Formal Wear. Wearing their most confident mermaid gowns, the Queens take to the runway to show their grace with human legs and to shine their personalities on the stage! A panel of judges score their poise and presence.
Photo by Create Well Underwater
Activism
Each mermaid develops a pageant platform based on a cause that is important to her. If she wins her chosen charity will receive all proceeds from Miss Mermaid USA fundraising campaigns during her reign! Whether cleaning up the ocean, educating children or supporting her community in her own unique way, our Queens shine as role models, leaders and influencers.
Miss Mermaid USA 20223
- Felicia Flahearty supports the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Photo by John Lynagh
Get a Miss Mermaid USA Calendar when you donate to Save the Bay!
Diversity
Mermaids come in every shape, size, pronoun and color of the rainbow! Our pageant has no limitations on body size, height or maternal/marriage status. You don't even have to have mermaid experience or your own mermaid tail. We invite all US water women age 18-36 to apply.* Our diverse lineup of Miss Mermaids are making waves in the pageant world.
Miss Mermaid USA Top 10 Finalist
Miss Mermaid Louisiana 2023 - Victoria Storm
Green Eyed Photography
*Our age category is set by our International parent pageant.
*Mermaids and Mermen of all ages are invited to apply for our King & Queen of the Seas pageant!
*We can also represent mermaids from other countries to compete at Miss Mermaid International.
Sisterhood
The best part of Miss Mermaid is joining our family of empowered water women and supportive soul "seasters!" In pageantry, we compete not against each other, but to become the most expansive versions of ourselves. It's surprising how much you can shine when you have the strength of a national and international sisterhood behind you!
Miss Mermaid 2023 Finalists
Photo by Create Well Underwater
Adventure
Miss Mermaid USA & Miss Mermaid America will travel to Miss Mermaid International in 2024 (stay tuned for details!). Mermaids from over 2 dozen countries around the world will join together for 2 weeks of mermaid and modeling action at a beautiful all-inclusive resort. This unique opportunity for patriotism, cultural exchange and mermaid fun is a once in a lifetime adventure!
Miss Mermaid America 2023 - Nichole Wood
Miss Mermaid USA 2023 - Felicia Flaherty
Photo by Create Well Underwater
52 State Queens
Our 52 State Queens competed in 2021 and have had their reigns extended until the next Miss Mermaid International pageant is complete.
25 Semifinalists
Based on the scores on their online applications and availability, 25 Semifinalists won tickets to MerMagic Con to compete in the Miss Mermaid USA Pageant. The first round of competition was the Creativity Contest, where mermaids styled a themed photoshoot and made their own tops and accessories. This competition also included public voting!
Top 10 Finalists
At the Miss Mermaid USA Pageant at MerMagic Con, our 25 Semifinalists competed in the Long Distance Swim and Underwater Posing competitions. The Top 10 with the highest scores in the Underwater rounds and the Creativity round moved onto the stage shows as Finalists! Our panel of judges scored Finalists on Poise, Presence & Personality in the Formal Wear Runway Show and On-Stage Interview to determine the winners.
Photos by Create Well Underwater